Burbank man charged in airplane disturbance

Federal authorities have charged a Burbank man with allegedly trying to open the door of a plane flying to Chicago on Sunday, causing it to be diverted to St. Louis.

Reynel Alcaide, 34, was a passenger on Continental Flight 546 from Houston when authorities say he rushed toward the main door of the Boeing 737, shoved a flight attendant out of the way and yelled that he had to get off the plane. He tried to open the door but was tackled by other passengers and crew members, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney's office in St. Louis.

At 1:18 p.m. Sunday, the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport police got a call from Flight 546 about an unruly passenger, said airport spokesman Jeff Lea. When the plane landed about 10 minutes later, officers boarded the plane and found the man being held by a flight attendant and two passengers. After about an hour, the plane was cleared for takeoff and left for Chicago.

Alcaide was charged Monday with crimes involving aircraft and interference with the flight crew members and attendants. Alcaide faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each charge if convicted.